U.S. patent application number 12/291655 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-13 for mower ground roller assembly mounting system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alama Group Inc.. Invention is credited to Brian E. hardy, Allen C. Larson, Mark A. Otten, Bart L. Trevillyan.
Application Number | 20100115908 12/291655 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42163931 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100115908 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Trevillyan; Bart L. ; et
al. |
May 13, 2010 |
Mower ground roller assembly mounting system
Abstract
A mounting system for a ground roller assembly to be used on a
mower such as a flail mower including a stationary sleeve bearing
positioned on mounting shafts extending from either end of the
ground roller. The stationary sleeve bearing is positioned in a
housing which is vertically positionably with respect to the mower
housing. The stationary sleeve bearing is protected on either end
from dirt and debris getting between the inside surface of the
stationary sleeve bearing and the outside surface of the mounting
shafts on either end of the ground roller.
Inventors: |
Trevillyan; Bart L.; (Valley
Springs, SD) ; hardy; Brian E.; (Sioux Falls, SD)
; Otten; Mark A.; (Crooks, SD) ; Larson; Allen
C.; (Sioux Falls, SD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STRASBURGER & PRICE, LLP
901 MAIN STREET, SUITE 4400
DALLAS
TX
75202
US
|
Assignee: |
Alama Group Inc.
|
Family ID: |
42163931 |
Appl. No.: |
12/291655 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
56/252 ; 56/229;
56/249 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01D 34/62 20130101;
A01D 34/54 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
56/252 ; 56/229;
56/249 |
International
Class: |
A01D 34/54 20060101
A01D034/54; A01D 34/42 20060101 A01D034/42; A01D 34/535 20060101
A01D034/535; A01D 34/62 20060101 A01D034/62 |
Claims
1. A mower ground roller assembly mounting system for use with the
mounting shafts extending from the ends of a ground roller
assembly, said ground roller assembly mounting system comprising:
stationary sleeve bearings constructed and arranged to permit
rotation and axial movement of the mounting shafts therein, said
stationary sleeve bearings having an inboard end and an outboard
end; housings for said stationary sleeve bearings constructed and
arranged for frictional interfitment around said stationary sleeve
bearings; seals mounted within said stationary bearing housings on
said inboard ends of said stationary sleeve bearings; thrust
bearings placed mounted within said stationary bearing housings
adjacent to said outboard end of said stationary sleeve
bearings.
2. The mounting system as defined in claim 1 wherein said
stationary sleeve bearings are greaseless bearings.
3. The mounting system as defined in claim 2 further including
o-rings substantially surrounding said outboard ends of said
stationary sleeve bearings.
4. The mounting system as defined in claim 1 wherein said housings
for said stationary bearings are mounted to be vertically
positionable with respect to a mower housing.
5. The mounting system as defined in claim 3 wherein said seals on
the inboard ends of said stationary sleeve bearings and said o-ring
on the outboard end of said stationary sleeve bearings protect said
stationary sleeve bearings from the entry of dirt or debris.
6. A ground roller assembly for use on a flail mower, said ground
roller assembly comprising: an hollow cylindrical member having a
mounting shaft extending from either end of said hollow cylindrical
member; stationary sleeve bearings positioned for both rotatable
and slideable engagement with each of said mounting shafts, each of
said stationary sleeve bearings having an inboard end and an
outboard end; housings for fixedly mounting and positioning each of
said stationary sleeve bearings to engage each of said mounting
shafts; a bearing seal mounted within each of said stationary
housings adjacent to said inboard end; a thrust bearing mounted
within each of said stationary housings adjacent to said outboard
end.
7. The ground roller assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said
stationary sleeve bearings are greaseless journal bearings.
8. The ground roller assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein o-rings
are placed substantially around the outboard end of said stationary
sleeve bearings.
9. The ground roller assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said
seals and said o-rings are used to block dirt and debris from
entering the interface between said stationary sleeve bearings and
said ground roller mounting shaft.
10. The ground roller assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said
stationary housing is vertically positionable with respect to the
housing for the flail mower.
11. A flail mower comprising: a rotating cutter shaft, said
rotating cutter shaft including a plurality of flail knives
hingedly mounted thereto for reducing the length of vegetation by
impact with said flail knives when said rotating cutter shaft
turns; said rotating cutter shaft being position within a flail
mower housing; a hollow cylindrical member attached to said flail
mower housing, said hollow cylindrical member being positioned
behind said rotating cutter shaft; said hollow cylindrical member
including a reduced diameter mounting shaft extending from either
end and a mounting assembly constructed and arranged for
positioning said hollow mounting shafts with respect to said flail
mower housing; said mounting assembly including: two vertically
adjustable bearing housings fixedly mounted to a vertical adjusting
bracket movable with respect to said flail mower housing, said
vertically adjustable bearing housings being positioned to encircle
each of said reduced diameter mounting shafts; a stationary sleeve
bearing positioned within each of said two stationary bearing
housings for sliding rotatable and linear engagement with said
reduced diameter mounting shafts, each stationary sleeve bearing
having an inboard end and an outboard end; means for protecting the
interface between the outer surface of said reduced diameter
mounting shaft and the inner surface of said stationary sleeve
bearing from dirt and debris, said means for protecting being
positioned adjacent to said inboard end and adjacent to said
outboard end of said stationary sleeve bearing.
12. The flail mower as defined in claim 11 wherein each said
stationary sleeve bearing is a greaseless journal bearing.
13. The flail mower as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for
protecting the interface between said reduced diameter mounting
shaft and said stationary sleeve bearing adjacent to said inboard
end of said stationary sleeve bearing is a flexible bearing
seal.
14. The flail mower as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for
protecting the interface between the outer surface of said reduced
diameter mounting shaft and the inner surface of said stationary
sleeve bearing adjacent to said outboard end of said stationary
sleeve bearing is an o-ring.
15. The flail mower as defined in claim 11 further including a
thrust bearing positioned within each of said bearing housings near
the outboard end of said stationary sleeve bearing.
16. The flail mower as defined in claim 11 where in each of said
vertical adjusting bracket moves between retaining clips attached
to said flail mower housing.
Description
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0001] The invention described in this patent application was not
the subject of federally funded research or development.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to mowers; more particularly
the present invention relates to those mowers using one or more
ground rollers to regulate the depth of cut or the height of
vegetation remaining once passing under a mower.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Tractor mounted mowers such as a flail mower or a reel-type
mower typically include a ground roller assembly 130. The ground
roller assembly 130 mounted to the rear of the mower housing 120 as
shown in FIG. 1. A vertically positionable, rotatable ground roller
assembly mounting system enables the ground roller assembly 130 be
vertically positioned to vary the depth of cut or the height of the
vegetation remaining after the mower assembly 110 moves over the
ground.
[0004] Large mowers typically used alongside major roadways, use
one or more sets of grease-typed ball bearings, spherical roller
bearings, or roller bearings for rotatably attaching the ground
roller assembly to the mower housing. The sets of grease-type ball
bearings, spherical roller bearings, or roller bearings are
positioned on either end of the ground roller assembly 130. While
effective for rotatably mounting the ground roller assembly,
grease-type ball bearings, spherical roller bearings, or roller
bearings present the following drawbacks: a) they are expensive, b)
they require frequent checking and lubrication when operating
within an environment filled with dust, debris, and water, such as
the area immediately behind the cutting portion of a mower
assembly, c) they are difficult and costly to replace, and d) the
grease expelled from the bearings collects and holds dirt, and the
dirt eventually works its way into the bearings and reduce bearing
life.
[0005] Ground roller assembly mounting bearings require proper
maintenance to remain in working order. To properly maintain a
ground roller assembly mounting system, the bearings contained
therein must be both kept free of dirt and debris and lubricated
regularly. Improper maintenance of one or more grease-type ball
bearings, spherical roller bearings, or roller bearings often
results in the costly and difficult replacement of these
bearings.
[0006] Unfortunately, some mower operators, particularly the
operators of flail-type mowers used alongside roads and highways,
have a reputation for not properly cleaning and lubricating wear
prone parts of mower assemblies. Accordingly, grease-type ball
bearings, spherical roller bearings, and roller bearings on either
end of the ground roller assembly often wear out prematurely during
the mowing season. This premature wear results in increased
maintenance and increased operational costs for owner of the
mower.
[0007] Accordingly, a need remains in the art for a more easily and
cheaply maintained ground roller assembly mounting system for use
on a mower. More particularly a mounting system is required that
both minimizes dirt and debris from entering the mounting system
for the ground roller assembly and provides a rotational mounting
system for the ground roller assembly that requires no lubrication.
Such mounting system for a ground roller assembly should require
less maintenance then prior art ground roller assembly mounting
systems thereby reducing operating costs and increasing the usable
life of the ground roller assembly mounting system portion of a
mower.
SUMMARY
[0008] A ground roller assembly mounting system for use on a mower
which minimizes the entry of dirt and debris and requires no
lubrication is provided by the present invention.
[0009] Included within the disclosed ground roller assembly
mounting system are a pair of sleeve bearings. Each sleeve bearing
is positioned to be non-movable within a bearing housing. The
bearing housing is vertically positionable with respect to the
mower housing. Within the sleeve bearing, the mounting shafts on
either end of the ground roller assembly are rotatably mounted.
[0010] Extending into the end of the of the ground roller assembly,
the bearing housing is connected to a flexible bearing seal on the
inboard end of the ground roller mounting shaft. The flexible
bearing seal protects the sleeve bearing from entry of dirt and
debris into the contact area between the outside of the ground
roller mounting shaft and the inside of the sleeve bearing.
[0011] The vertically positionable bearing housing is positioned by
being fixedly mounted to the vertically movable cut height
adjustment bracket. Movement of the cut height adjustment bracket
is guided between two retaining clips affixed to the mower housing.
Cut height adjustment is made by turning an externally threaded
fastener mounted on the mower housing within an internally threaded
fastener attached to the cut height adjustment bracket.
[0012] Positioned within the vertically positionable bearing
housing near the outboard end of the sleeve bearing is a thrust
bearing. The thrust bearing limits the linear travel of the ground
roller assembly mounting shaft with respect to the stationary
sleeve bearing. An o-ring substantially surrounds the thrust
bearing on the outboard end of the ground roller assembly mounting
shaft. The o-ring protects the sleeve bearing from entry of dirt
and debris into the contact area between the outside surface of the
ground roller assembly mounting shaft and the inside surface of the
sleeve bearing. A groove formed within the vertically positionable
bearing housing holds the o-ring in place.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0013] A better understanding of the ground roller assembly
mounting system of the present invention may be had by reference to
the following Description of the Embodiments as illustrated by the
following drawing figures wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a tractor with a flail
mower assembly mounted to the underside thereof;
[0015] FIG. 1A is an exemplary perspective view of a plurality of
flail knives hingedly mounted to a rotating cutter shaft;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front and side of a
flail mower assembly showing the vertical adjustment for the ground
roller assembly and the motor which provides rotational force to
the rotating cutter shaft assembly which include the hingedly
mounted flail knives;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ground roller
assembly mounting system of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 4 is an elevational view, in partial section, showing
the placement of a mounting shaft for the ground roller assembly
within the ground roller assembly mounting system of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0019] As may be seen in FIG. 1, a ground roller assembly 130 is
positioned behind the forward or cutting portion 120 of a flail
mower assembly 110. The ground roller assembly 130 follows the
cutting portion 120 of the flail mower assembly 110 as the flail
mower assembly 110 moves across the ground. While the ground roller
assembly mounting system 10 of the present invention is shown in
use with a flail mower, those of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that the system of the present invention may be used
with those other types of mowers, such as a reel type mower, which
includes a ground roller assembly for adjusting the depth of
cut.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1A, the actual cutting of the vegetation is
caused by the impact of the hingedly mounted flail knives 122 on
the vegetation to be cut as the flail knives 122 rotate together
with a rotating cutter shaft 124 which is driven by a motor 150.
The dept of cut or the height of the vegetation remaining after
being cut is regulated by the substantially vertical position of
the ground roller assembly 130.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the vertical positioning of
the ground roller assembly 130 is accomplished by the use of an
externally threaded fasteners 48 positioned on either end of the
flail mower assembly 110. Each externally threaded fastener 48
mounted within bracket 47 to each end of 121 of the flail mower
assembly 110. Each externally threaded fastener 48 is positioned to
engage an internally threaded fastener 49. Each internally threaded
fastener 49 is attached to a cut height adjustment bracket 132.
Each cut height adjustment bracket 132 is positioned adjacent to
the end plate 142 on either end 121 of the mower housing 140.
[0022] Turning the externally threaded fastener 48 within the
internally threaded fastener 49 changes the vertical position of
the cut height adjusting bracket 132. The cut height adjustment
bracket is kept from turning by retention within retaining clips 52
affixed to the end plate 142 of the flail mower housing 140.
Changing the vertical position of the cut height adjustment bracket
132 moves the ground roller assembly 130 up or down and thereby
changes the dept of cut.
[0023] Shown in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4 is the assembly of the
components included in the ground roller mounting assembly system
10 of the present invention.
[0024] The ground roller assembly 130 includes a hollow cylindrical
member 31 having a length slightly shorter than the housing 140 for
the cutting portion 120 of the flail mower assembly 110. The
diameter of the hollow cylindrical member 31 may vary; however, the
diameter of the hollow cylindrical member 31 is not critical to the
disclosed invention as the system 10 of the present invention may
be used with hollow cylindrical members having a variety of
diameters.
[0025] Fitted within either end of the hollow cylindrical member 31
is a mounting shaft 32. The inboard end of each mounting shaft 32
has a large diameter portion 34 for interfitment within the inside
33 of the hollow cylindrical member 31. Extending outwardly from
the large diameter portion 34 is a reduced diameter portion 36.
When a mounting shaft 32 is placed within either end of the hollow
cylindrical member 31, the long or rotational axis of the reduced
diameter portions 36 are positioned to be co-axial with the long or
rotational axis of the hollow cylindrical member 31 to assure that
the ground roller assembly 130 rolls smoothly over the ground
behind the mower assembly 110.
[0026] The reduced diameter portion 36 of each mounting shaft 32 on
either end of the hollow cylindrical member 31 must be allowed to
rotate as the ground roller assembly 130 rolls over the ground to
properly position the ground roller assembly 130 behind the cutting
portion 120 of the mower assembly. To enable the rotation of the
reduced diameter portion 36 of each mounting shaft 32 on either end
of the hollow cylindrical member 31, the reduced diameter portion
36 of the mounting shaft 32 is contained within a non-rotating,
vertically adjustable greaseless sleeve bearing 40. The
non-rotating, vertically adjustable greaseless sleeve bearing has
an inboard end 39 and an outboard end 41.
[0027] The non-rotating, vertically adjustable, greaseless sleeve
bearing 40 is mounted within a bearing housing 42. The bearing
housing 42 is attached to the cut height adjusting bracket 132 so
that each non-rotating, vertically adjustable greaseless sleeve
bearing 40 is co-axial with the reduced diameter portion 36 of each
mounting shaft 32. The bearing housing 42 extends within both ends
of the hollow cylindrical member 31. The bearing housing 42 becomes
vertically positionable with respect to the mower housing 140 by
attachment to the cut height adjustment bracket by threaded
fasteners 50.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention, the
non-rotating, vertically adjustable, greaseless sleeve bearing 40
has a steel backing and a porous bronze inner structure with a PTFE
overlay. That reduced diameter portion 36 of each ground roller
mounting shaft 32 on each end of the hollow cylindrical member 31
has either chrome plated or a nitrided surface.
[0029] Positioned adjacent to the inboard end of each non-rotating,
vertically adjustable, greaseless sleeve bearing 40 on either end
of the hollow cylindrical member 31 in the preferred embodiment is
a flexible bearing seal 38. The flexible nature of the bearing seal
38 prevents the entry of dirt and debris into the area between the
outside of the reduced diameter portion 36 of the mounting shaft 32
and the interior surface of the non-rotating, vertically adjustable
greaseless sleeve bearing 40. Various types of bearing seals may be
used from an o-ring to a seal with a flexible cup seal, as shown in
the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3. Other types of seals to include
low friction contact components such as Teflon, rope, leather or
rubber may also be used.
[0030] Located within the vertically adjustable bearing housing 42
is a thrust bearing 46. The thrust bearing 46 limits the axial
movement of the reduced diameter portion 36 of the ground roller
mounting shaft 32. Specifically, should the hollow cylindrical
member 31 be caused to move a short distance axially, the thrust
bearing 46 within the vertically adjustable bearing housing 42 will
limit the axial movement of the hollow cylindrical member 31 by
contact with the end of the reduced diameter portion 36 of the
ground roller mounting shaft 32.
[0031] For further protection of the interface between the outside
surface of the reduced diameter portion 36 of the ground roller
mounting shaft 32 and the interior surface of the non-rotating,
vertically adjustable sleeve bearing 40, an o-ring 44 is mounted in
a groove 43 formed within the bearing housing 42. The groove 43 is
positioned substantially around the thrust bearing 46 and adjacent
to the outboard end of the non-rotating, vertically adjustable
sleeve bearing 40.
[0032] Holding the o-ring 44 in position is the contact of the
outboard face 45 of the adjustable bearing housing 42 with the
inside surface If the cut height adjustment bracket 132. While a
single o-ring 44 is shown in the preferred embodiment, those of
ordinary skill in the art will understand that multiple O-rings may
be used. Alternatively, other types of protective seals may be used
to include gaskets or gels.
[0033] While the vertically adjustable bearing housing 42 is
fixedly mounted to the vertical adjusting bracket 132 with screws
50 other attachment methods such as welding may be used. Retaining
clips 52 maintain vertical adjusting brackets 132 in position
horizontally, fore and aft and axially or the long axis of ground
roller assembly 130. But the machined dept of retaining clip 52 is
slightly greater than the thickness of vertical adjustment bracket
132, thereby allowing the vertical adjustment bracket 132,
vertically adjustable bearing housing 42, and greaseless bearing 40
to move slightly, axially in and out, and rotate slightly on the
vertical axis of the vertical adjustment bracket 132 to provide
alignment to the mounting shaft 32, and account for manufacturing
tolerances. While the cut height adjustment bracket 132 vertically
moves within the retaining clips 52 when the externally threaded
fastener 48 is adjusted within the internally threaded fastener 49
attached to the cut height adjustment bracket 132 other movement
and retaining mechanisms known to those of ordinary skill in the
art may be used.
[0034] While the disclosed system has been described according to
its preferred and alternate embodiments, those of ordinary skill in
the art will understand that still other embodiments may be enabled
by the foregoing disclosure. Such other embodiments shall be
included within the scope and meaning of the appended claims.
* * * * *